Surprise! How can the Element of African Surprise Affect your Meeting Outcomes?

Do you know how to speak Swahili?  If not, imagine this scenario:

1. Following a sociably late entry to a very large, crowded college classroom/auditorium, you notice that the host professor of your  “Current World Problems”  class is noticeably late
2. A couple hundred people sit quietly in anticipation that an intellectual genius will enter
3. In walks a little African man in full costume, playing native drums and screeching out words only recognizable by those who speak Swahili

Not exactly what college students hoping to gain the insight necessary to launch careers as Ambassadors would expect, eh?

But, why is it that 23 years later, I still remember the name or that Ph.D candidate?    Why can I tell you that Charles Boateng was the most effective lecturer/presenter of information that I’ve ever seen?  And, more importantly, how was he able to gain my attention, earn my trust and help me retain all of his insights about nuclear disarmament after that notorious entry?

Would it surprise you to know that our class performed better on final exams than every other section taught by other lectururers who weren’t natives of Ghana, Africa?

Now, sadly I can’t tell you the names of the last three audio conference call presenters or online web conference hosts I’ve been exposed to.

But, after checking my calendar, I can honestly say that all of these professionals are intelligent individuals who have insightful and profitable information to share with me.   I have managed to retain some of their presentations.  But, I hardly recall everything.  Do they have to dress in full costume, beat on a drum and speak Swahili to gain my attention?  No.

Though, they can use the same elements of surprise and present themselves as clearly as the little African Professor.  They can pre-plan to make appropriate use of their 3D venue.  They can add some passion and cultural significance to their simple and authentic avatar.  They can work effortlessly to make their messages powerful and work to engage their participants in meaningful dialogue.  And, if I’m in their presence, they can even look right at me while telling me that it’s a good thing that I never pursued my interest in becoming an Ambassador.

Do tell me why you think Dr. Boateng still resonates with his classes?  Later, let’s use this forum to discuss the other fascinating elements of his teaching techniques that you believe can be successfully adapted in Virtual 3D.